ank you," said the other; "I'll try to remember that if I should
chance to die in Egypt. But really, cost what it may, I must see this
wonderful sight soon."

"Just my own wish," said Rhodopis. "Age is inquisitive."

"You will never be old," interrupted Darius. "Your conversation and your
features have remained alike beautiful, and your mind is as clear and
bright as your eyes."

"Forgive me for interrupting you," said Rhodopis, as if she had not
heard his flattering words, "but the word 'eyes' reminds me of the
oculist Nebenchari, and my memory fails me so often, that I must ask
you what has become of him, before I forget. I hear nothing now of this
skilful operator to whom the noble Kassandane owes her sight."

"He is much to be pitied," replied Darius. "Even before we reached
Pelusium he had begun to avoid society, and scorned even to speak with
his countryman Onuphis. His gaunt old servant was the only being allowed
to wait on or be with him. But after the battle his whole behavior
changed. He went to the king with a radiant countenance, and asked
permission to accompany him to Sais, and to choose two citizens of that
town to be his slaves. Cambyses thought he could not refuse anything to
the man, who had been such a benefactor to his mother, and granted him
full power to do what he wished. On arriving at Amasis' capital, he went
at once to the temple of Neith, caused the high-priest (who had moreover
placed himself at the head of the citizens hostile to Persia), to
be arrested, and with him a certain oculist named Petammon. He then
informed them that, as punishment for the burning of certain papers,
they would be condemned to serve a Persian to whom he should sell them,
for the term of their natural lives, and to perform the most menial
services of slaves in a foreign country. I was present at this scene,
and I assure you I trembled before the Egyptian as he said these
words to his enemies. Neithotep, however, listened quietly, and when
Nebenchari had finished, answered him thus: If thou, foolish son, hast
betrayed thy country for the sake of thy burnt manuscripts, the deed
has been neither just nor wise. I preserved thy valuable works with the
greatest care, laid them up in our temple, and sent a complete copy to
the library at Thebes. Nothing was burnt but the letters from Amasis
to thy father, and a worthless old chest. Psamtik and Petammon were
present, and it was then and there resolved that a new family to